When you’re driving along one of Connecticut’s highways you may see wildlife grazing on the side of the road or just past the tree line. Sure they are cute to look at, but they also present a real danger in causing a Connecticut auto accident.
How dangerous can a deer grazing on the side of a highway really be? Turns out, quite dangerous. In fact, nearly 1 million collisions each year are caused by animals and of those 1 million collisions, 200 lead to human fatalities, not to mention the death to the animals with that number significantly higher.
- Animals and automobiles are not a good combination, but there are some things we can do as drivers to help keep ourselves safe and the animals out of harm's way.
- Honk your horn. If you see an animal on the road or even think about crossing, honk your horn. It may startle the animal, but it will also keep it from crossing and getting injured or doing damage to you and your vehicle.
- Drive slow. This is a good reminder to never drive over the speed limit. Speed is one of the clearest factors in auto accidents and when dealing with animals it can significantly reduce your reaction time if you are approaching an animal.
- Use your high beams. If you’re driving on a dark highway or road you should use your high beams to give yourself better visibility of animals who might be on or approaching the road.
- Be extra alert at dawn and dusk, this is when animals are the most active and can cause the most harm.
Some animals are deadlier than others, but all present the danger of a Connecticut auto accident. While it is not our responsibility as drivers to share the roads with these animals, it certainly is our job to keep ourselves and the animals safe when possible. Doing all of these things above will help with that job.
If you or a loved one were injured in an auto accident, you may need an attorney to review your case. Contact our office immediately and one of our experienced attorneys will speak to you about your options.
